Mann Vannda KCM (Khmer: ម៉ាន់ វណ្ណដា [man ʋan.ɗaː]; born 22 January 1997), known mononymously as Vannda (often stylized in all caps or as VannDa), is a Cambodian rapper and hip-hop artist based in Cambodia best known for his song "Time to Rise", featuring Master Kong Nai and is one of Cambodia's most exciting contemporary artists, according to NME.[1]
VannDa | |
|---|---|
| វណ្ណដា | |
 | |
| Born | Mann Vannda - ម៉ាន់ វណ្ណដា 22 January 1997 Sihanoukville, Cambodia |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2016–present |
| Musical career | |
| Origin | Phnom Penh |
| Labels | Baramey Production Company Limited |
Childhood
editVannDa (Khmer: វណ្ណដា) was born on January 22, 1997, in Sihanoukville (city), Preah Sihanouk Province, Cambodia.[2] VannDa's father Mann Bunnheng and mother Kang Kimseak run a family-run coconut-shaving business in Psar Leur, a local market in the middle of Sihanoukville city. VannDa has two older siblings, Sophy and VannDy. VannDa has had a passion for music from a young age and has always dreamt of being a star.[3] VannDa grew up discovering music online and considers music as his friend that takes him away from dark paths.[4] VannDa looks up to rapper Kanye West and Kid Cudi.[5]
Career
editAfter several independent releases from 2016 to 2018, In 2019, VannDa joined Baramey Production, a Cambodian talent management and music production company founded by Cambodian-American singer-songwriter Laura Mam that champions the Khmer original music movement.[6]
Time to Rise
editOriginally released as part of a marketing campaign for mobile network Cellcard,[7] "Time to Rise" blends traditional Khmer instrumentation and singing with hip-hop. The song features celebrated chrieng chapei artist Master Kong Nay, who contributes chapei playing and sings verses. The lyrics serve as a call to arms for Cambodian youth to preserve the traditions and knowledge of the past and carry the torch into the future, bringing originality and creativity to Cambodia's modern cultural scene. The song quickly became a legitimate pop hit,[8] surpassing one-million views in three months.
The music video was filmed at the National Museum of Cambodia in Phnom Penh, showcasing the building's unique architecture, and features VannDa and Master Kong Nay in traditional Khmer clothing.
In October 2022, the music video for ‘Time to Rise’ reached 100 million views on YouTube,[9] a first for a Cambodian artist.
On October 25, VannDa announced a 100 million riel (approx. US$25,000) fundraising campaign to support Kong Nay,[10] whose health has seen decline in 2022.
In 2024 VannDa performed alongside Phoenix, Angèle, Ezra Koenig and Kavinsky at the 2024 Summer Olympics closing ceremony in Paris.
Achievements
editDiscography
edit- គេជាអ្នកណា (2016)
- ឈឺទេ (2017)
- ចាប់ផ្ដើម និង បញ្ចប់ (2018)
- $kull the Album (2020)
- SKULL 2: SEASON 1 (2021-2022)
Collaborations
editVannDa has collaborated with various Cambodian artists including label mate and rising rising R’n’B singer Sophia Kao, La Cima Cartel, Khmeng Khmer, as well as Thai rappers F.HERO, 1MILL[15] and OG Bobby.[16]
- Player - (feat. Temp Tris, Rawyer, Snooga, Reezy Khmer: អ្នកលេង ft. ថេមប៉ូ ទ្រីស, រ៉យើរ, ស៊្នូហ្គា, រុីហ្សុី) (2018)
- ម្តាយ (MAMA) - (feat. ក្មេងខ្មែរ) (2020)
- Follow Ma Dance - (feat. ប៉ូឡារិច, ឡូរ៉ាម៉ម, ក្មេងខ្មែរ) (2020)
- BE WITH ME (VANNDA, LAURA MAM & POLARIX) (2020) [1]
- HIK HIK - (feat. BAD BOY BERT) (2020)
- ALL3RGY - LA CIMA NIGHT (feat. VANNDA, SONGHA, RXTHY, YCN RAKHIE) (2020)
- Time - (feat. Sophia Kao) (2021)
- Time To Rise - (feat. Master Kong Nay) (2021) [2]
- MONSOON - (feat. Songha) (2021)
- RUN THE TOWN - (feat. F.HERO, 1MILL & SPRITE) (2022)
- Young Man - (feat. OG BOBBY) (2022)
- BONG - (feat. OG BOBBY) (2022)
- កម្លោះស្រុកខ្មែរ - (Khmer Gentlemen) (feat. Vanthan) (2023)
- ចងចាំសាវតារ - (LEGACY) (BARAMEY CREW) (2023)
- VANNDA - 6 YEARS IN THE GAME (feat. AWICH) (2024)[3]
- KWAN - មេឃបើកថ្ងៃ (feat. VANNDA ) (2024)
- MESA - ដូចមេ [DOCH MAY - LIKE A BOSS] (feat. VANNDA) (2024)
- VANTHAN - មិនអាចវិលវិញ - Point of No Return (feat. VANNDA) (2024)
- NORITH - ក្រមុំស្រុកណា (feat. VANNDA) (2024)
References
edit- ^ Gwee, Karen (4 July 2022). "VannDa: Cambodian rap star delivers hard emotional truths on new project 'Skull 2 (Season 1)'". NME. NME Networks. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
- ^ "VannDa: จากเด็กยากไร้โดนครูดูถูก สู่แรปเปอร์เจ้าของเพลงฮิตใน TikTok 'Time To Rise' ที่เผยแพร่เสียงดนตรีแห่งกัมพูชาให้โลกรู้จัก" [VannDa: From a poor child who was insulted by a teacher to a rapper who has the hit song on TikTok 'Time To Rise' that spreads Cambodia's music to the world.] (in Thai). 27 April 2021. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
- ^ "Rapper VannDa is a New Voice from Cambodia's New Generation".
- ^ "Rapper VannDa is a New Voice from Cambodia's New Generation".
- ^ "Rapper VannDa is a New Voice from Cambodia's New Generation".
- ^ "LAURA MAM". Baramey Production. Retrieved 2022-10-26.
- ^ "Cellcard changing Cambodia's music scene with 'Time to Rise'". Phnom Penh Post. 14 July 2022. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
- ^ Phorn, Bopha. "Rapper VannDa Is a New Voice From Cambodia's New Generation". Vice. Vice Media Group. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
- ^ Prak, Chan Thul (25 October 2022). "Rapper VannDa's 'Time to Rise' Reaches 100m YouTube Views". Kiripost. Retrieved 2022-10-26.
- ^ "Baramey Production". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2022-10-26.
- ^ Prak, Chan Thul (25 October 2022). "Rapper VannDa's 'Time to Rise' Reaches 100m YouTube Views". Kiripost. Retrieved 2022-10-26.
- ^ "LiFTED LiSTS: BEST VIDEOS OF 2021". liftedasia.com. Retrieved 2022-10-26.
- ^ "THE LIFTED 50 NUMBER 6: VANNDA". liftedasia.com. Retrieved 2022-10-26.
- ^ Gill, Jaime (27 June 2022). "How we can all help Cambodian culture enter a new golden age". Phnom Penh Post. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
- ^ Rolda, Samuel (3 June 2022). "VannDa on a roll, newest album to tackle "bittersweet life journey"". Khmer Times. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
- ^ Soo, JX (4 July 2022). "Watch VannDa link up with Thai MC OG Bobby on new music video for 'Young Man'". NME. NME Networks. Retrieved 28 October 2022.